Vision Forum Giveaway!

I'm sure many of you have heard about Vision Forums AWESOME giveaways going on as we speak.  Vision Forum has been such a blessing to our family.  They have a variety of wholesome, Christian books for everyone on your Christmas list. We have never been disappointed with their books and materials; they are Christ-centered and focused on creating a Biblical worldview in everything they do.  I recommend them highly!

Be sure to check out the giveaways on each of the links below before time runs out!

A Wise Woman Builds Her House
Life In A Shoe
The Modest Mom
Raising Olives
Smockity Frocks

God Bless!

Giving Thanks

Happy Thanksgiving!

Yes, I'm still here.  It's been a looong time, I know.  It has been hard trying to find time to just sit and write a post...I have thought about it though, does that count? 

I can't believe Thanksgiving is here already!  That only means one thing...well, maybe a few things, one: I've blacked-out over the last month because I don't know where it went, two; It's time to be thankful and eat a bunch of turkey, and three; CHRISTMAS is just a month away!  I'm going to pretend I didn't say that last one, and I'm not going to think about it till tomorrow, if that's ok with you. 

Anyway, it's good to be back.  We have so much to be thankful for, even if we aren't receiving the blessings that we think we should be getting. At least we're not receiving what we deserve.  God is so good to allow us the gift of life and breath.  We have a beautiful house, great kids, food on our table, and of course, shoes on our feet!  Remember to stop and give thanks for even those things we take for granted each and every day!

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Have camera, will travel

Most of the time my blog-posting-spree is chaotic. As much as I dislike chaos, you would think I would have a little more order to my posting, and at the very least, a somewhat chaotic-order!  I seem to work better if I have a plan, and that's what I'd like to do with my blog....have a plan.  I don't want it to become boring and mundane, but at the same time, I want to know what to expect....even if it is unexpected..? Am I making any sense?  Maybe I'll come up with something.  Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!

Here is a picture I took on Liberty's birthday (last month) and I think it sums up what her favorite gift was...CHOCOLATE!  She had us laughing hysterically that day!  She would open up a gift and bring it directly to me and move on to the next one....but when she got to the chocolate, she sat on the floor savoring every bite!  It was quite comical let me tell you!  She is always making us laugh!


Her latest venture is photography...Yep, you heard me correctly, she just turned 2 and she's an aspiring photographer!  A while back, one of our daughters received my old digital camera and in turn gave me their (really) old one.  Instead of letting it sit on my desk any longer, I decided to let Liberty play around with it (she is always asking to see her sister's pictures on their camera's).  Little did we know she would actually do something with it!  It is so funny to watch!  She has really been paying close attention to her sisters when they are taking pictures because she mimics them to a "T"!  She even has self-portraits down pat.  And if that isn't enough, she has figured out the video mode, and she took a video of herself, dancing....I'm telling you, she is a character.  There is never a dull moment at our house.  Here are a few of her pictures...unedited so you can see her skeeels!

A few of Liberty's Self-Portraits

Mom Mom and DaDa

Notice, I have no chin...

This is a good one of Clara Mae

This is downtown on our evening walk

And this is what is most funny...she took the camera to the store and took pictures of "candy" and the "big spider".  Also notice, it took her a while to remember to take her finger off the lens, but she's getting the hang of it!

And all these were taken by our 2 year old Liberty.  Do you think she has what it takes to be a good photographer?  I know I was impressed!

Video Fun!

We were able to start school last week, so everything has started feeling "normal" again.

  

I know I'm behind on getting our house pictures online...but they will get here...one of these days!

The kids have been having a blast making funny videos.  They are actually made to look like old silent films, from the 1920's.  They are a hoot! Here is one for those of you who didn't see it on facebook.  You can also go to our Away Down South You tube Channel to see more if you'd like.  And remember, these are videos of kids, done by kids, so enjoy!

Happy Birthday, Gracie!

We have another birthday!  Grace is 16 years old today.  16.  My life is getting a little scary :)

Seriously though, I am so thankful for the 16 years that Grace has been in our lives, she is such a delight to be around.  She always loves a good laugh and she likes to make people laugh too!  God has given her such a friendly disposition, she could make friends with a tree stump if she had too!  We are very proud of our children and pray that they will always glorify God in all that they do.

We love you Gracie!  

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Liberty

Our sweet baby girl is 2 years old today!  I can't believe how fast the time has flown by.  It seems like yesterday I was holding her as a newborn in my arms.  We love her SO much, and she has brought such joy to our lives!  Thank you, Lord, for the blessing of Liberty!

Home!

Well, we are slowly getting settled into our new home.  Don't you just love the sound of the word "home"?  I do!  There is such a feeling of belonging in the word.  I love to hear little Liberty say the word "home"...she really draws it out like it has such special meaning.  Home is such a special place to me, I tend to be a "home-body".  And yes, we have moved more times than I want to count, but it is SO good to have a place to call home. I am absolutely loving our new home...it's tucked away in a little bitty southern town...I don't know if town is the right word though, we don't have a gas station but we do have a Dollar General! I don't have pictures for you yet...I want everything to be done before I post pictures!  

Our old-timey house sits on 3 acres filled with pecan trees!  I am so excited! I can't wait to have pecans...btw, do you say PE-cans or pe-CONS? We also have 2 fig trees.  I had never in my life tasted a fresh fig...it tastes nothing like a fig newton  :)  I really like them!  We picked a few yesterday and so I scoured the internet looking for fig recipes and I decided to try a fresh fig cake.  It turned out quite delicious!  I'm not exactly sure what type of figs ours are {there seem to be quite a few varieties}.  Anyway, if you are knowledgeable about figs...please feel free to leave me any and all fig advice!

Fresh Fig Cake

1/4 cup butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped fresh figs

Topping
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup water
2 cups chopped fresh figs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a medium bowl, sift together flour, salt and baking powder. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter with the sugar until fluffy. Add egg and beat well. Add flour mixture alternately with the milk. Fold in vanilla and chopped figs.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out dry.

To make the topping: In a saucepan, combine 2 cups figs, brown sugar, and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 20 minutes. Spoon on top of cake before serving.  Best served hot.

God is Good!

Well, we are in the middle of our move.  When you are excited, it seems like things just can't move fast enough!  That's how it is with me right now.  I am SO excited to be moving to our new house, I want to do it TODAY, yet there are things that have to be accomplished first, so I have to be patient...and pack....and then pack some more!  Patience has never been my strong suit.  

God has been so good to us in allowing us to find this beautiful old house.  It has always been a dream of mine to live in an old house, and He has answered my prayer.  The finances it takes to move are plumb crazy, but I know that God will supply those needs as well, He always does.  I may fret and worry about where it's going to come from, but He has always seen us through.  {If you haven't noticed, this is a pick-me-up post}   :)

I want to thank each one of you for praying for our housing needs.  God was and is with us all along, and He moves in such fantastic ways!

Soli Deo Gloria!

So much to tell!

First things first...Our oldest daughter Rachel turned 17 yesterday.

Umm...wasn't  I  17  just yesterday?  

Talk about weird.  

Anyway, we are so proud of her.  She has become quite the Godly young lady.  I don't think there is anything she can't do.  She is truly as beautiful inside as she is on the outside.  I can hardly believe she is 17 already.  The years have flown by SO fast!  I can still remember the day my water broke...just like it was yesterday.  Life is such a vapor...

We are so thankful God brought her into our lives!

Our children are such a blessing to us!

News #2....We are moving!  And I am so excited!  And SO very thankful!

God answered our prayers above and beyond anything we could have ever dreamed!

I am still in awe at the way God worked it out.  There is no question that it was an act of God.  I am so thankful for His goodness and His kindness towards his children. As soon as possible, I will be posting pictures.

Have a Great Independence Day!

Simple Blueberry Muffins

Although we've had a couple storms and the electricity was off for a whole hour, 

I did get some blueberry muffins made today! 

One of my dear sisters brought me a bag of freshly picked blueberries Sunday, and after eating half the bag this week, {ahem} I did save enough for a batch of homemade blueberry muffins.  They are simple, yet scrumptious!  So, I thought I would share the recipe.  ♥  {this recipe makes 12}

• 1 ½ Cup Self-rising flour*
• ½ Cup sugar
• ¼ Cup vegetable oil
• ½ Cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 Cup fresh {or frozen} blueberries

 

 Mix ingredients in order, adding the blueberries last.  Fill paper muffin cups 2/3 full.  Sprinkle sugar on top.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Eat fresh out of the oven!

 

*you can substitute all-purpose flour instead...just be sure to add 1/2 tsp. of salt and 

2 tsp. baking powder

Happy Father's Day!

"Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) -Eph. 6:2

"Render therefor to all their dues.......honour to whom honour. -Romans 13:7

Tomorrow is Father's Day.  I would like to say a special "Happy Father's Day" to my own dear Dad and to my husband, who is the wonderful father to our 8 kids.  To my dad, - "I can't thank you enough for bringing me up in a Christian home, for giving me life and loving me through thick and thin.  I am so thankful God blessed me with you as a father!  I love you so much!"

To my dear husband, - "I love you with my whole heart!  You are such a great father to our children...they are so blessed to have you as a dad!  You are such an inspiration to me and I aspire to be as patient and loving a person as you are.  I couldn't ask for a better husband.  Thanks for loving me and our children....it means so much!  God blessed me so much when He brought you into my life.  I'll love you always!"

Happy Father's Day!  Good father's are needed in this day and time.  May each of you feel loved and appreciated on this special day!

We are taking orders!

Our 14 year old daughter Kirstie has become an outstanding artist.  We have featured some of her flower drawings on Etsy and we are now taking orders for her drawings of Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson.  They are her original drawings placed in wooden frames for $30 each or $50 for the pair. If you would like to order, just send me an EMAIL and we can discuss payment arrangements.  Also, if you have a favorite historical character you would like her to draw, you can send an email with those details as well.  You won't be disappointed!  The size of these are 10" x 13" but we can adjust to your needs. 

What a day!

Friday started out just like any other Friday at our house.  With the exception that Grace had woke up with a horrible headache....one she'd had since late Wednesday evening.  The kids did their schooling, and at noon we all sat down to listen to my husbands radio show.  Right before the show was over, it looked as if Grace had fallen asleep in the recliner, and when the kids started fixing lunch, we came over to see if Grace was going to eat.  We tried to rouse her but she wouldn't wake up.  It also looked as if she was crying.  I tried for several minutes and she finally opened her eyes, but she was breathing heavy and was very non-responsive.  I kept asking her if she could hear me but she wouldn't respond.  We couldn't get her to talk or move at all.  All of a sudden we had children crying their eyes out afraid of what was wrong with their dear sister.

At that point, my husband picked her up and we rushed her to the hospital.  After we arrived and they put an IV in her, she calmed down but was still very groggy and she couldn't talk.  They did several tests, including a CT scan, and did blood work, only to find out that everything was normal (which we were very thankful!).  They said she had hyperventilated do to the pain of her headache....we are coming to the conclusion that she has had a migraine.  She still is in need of your prayers....this headache wants to linger.  Whether migraines run in our family...my husband has them continually, my father, sister, and sister-in-law have problems with them as well, I hope that Grace will be spared. 

I am so thankful that God continues protect us and meet our needs.  Thank you so much for your prayers!

2 week review...

I know most of you are singing praises that your kids are out of school for the summer...while we sit here with a couple more weeks to go.  But we will be singing the Hallelujah Chorus soon too!  

We enjoyed a field trip to Noah's Ark a couple weeks ago...while we had a (shockingly) 3 day cool spell... {Don't get me started on the weather....it's CRAZY HOT now!}  It's a great place to take the family.  It's also FREE!  They do accept donations though.  Here are a few pictures from our trip.  We didn't get any good "together" shots, but maybe next time!  Oh, and did I mention it's only about 30 minutes from our house!  Sweet!

My favorite man in all the world!

I've also started the 90 Bible Challenge...Who doesn't enjoy a challenge?  If your up to it, just follow the schedule on the link I provided and you will have read the Bible in 90 days.  Take the challenge with me!

Money Saving Mom had this link up today from P&G for $35 in coupons.  She also had a great post on "How to have a successful road trip."  With our large family, it is always nice to find good ways that help keep everything running smooth and chaos-free!

Are you a frugal-kind of person?  Here are some great ideas for those pesky baby-wipe containers.  

I hope y'all are having a great start to your summer vacation.  Won't you come down and enjoy some of this Georgia heat?  :)

Happy 14th, Kirstie!

Today is our 3rd-born daughter's birthday, she is 14!

Kirstie is our creative one.  God has blessed her with amazing, creative talents.  She is always full of crafty ideas.  Last night she "threw together" an afghan-size quilt for me....in just one evening!  She loves to draw and she is becoming quite the artist.  If you will visit our Etsy shop, you will get a small glimpse at what I mean.  Her art skills have improved dramatically over the past year.  I am so proud of her!

She is growing up right before our very eyes!  

We love you Kirstie, and
Happy Birthday!

Maggie Joy is 11 today!

Today our little Maggie Joy turned 11 years old.  Wow.  At one time we had 5 girls, 5 years old and under.  Now those same 5 girls are 11 years old and older.  I can deny it all I want to but it is happening at lightning speed.  Hopefully the other 3 will stay younger longer.....yeah right.  

Anyway, Maggie was a 2000 baby...due on Mother's Day.  But as it happened, my midwife was going to be out of the state on Mother's Day so she decided to break my water a few day's early.  God in his sovereignty was looking out for our little Maggie...there was a very strong chance that she would have been stillborn had she went to full term.  She was born with hardly any breath left in her do to the umbilical cord wrapped extremely tight around her neck.  She was very lethargic and had to have oxygen for several hours.  It was an experience I will never forget and I hope to never go through again.

Maggie is a very shy, but very happy little girl.  And once she gets to know you, there is no holding back!  Her middle name fits her very well...she is full of Joy!  If you have seen me refer to her as our "little" Maggie, well....it's because she is just that.  I'm sure it attributes to her shyness at first, because anyone who finds out her age asks several times, "what did you say...you said she is 11?"  The older she has gotten, the more people are in shock at her age.  She is a little shorter than our 7 year old daughter Clara.  We believe she has what is called Turner Syndrome.  But it hasn't taken away her joy and enthusiasm for life.  If anything, she is even more enthusiastic than most.  We thank the LORD that he brought her into our lives.  She will always be our "little Maggie Joy"!

Happy Birthday Maggie!  We love you very much!

Blessed Beyond Measure

My heart overflows with love and gratitude for all that the LORD has given to me in allowing me to be the mother of 8 beautiful children.  I am truly blessed beyond measure.  I do not live in a mansion {although I am Queen of this double-wide}, I don't have fancy clothes, nor do I drive a fancy car, and I only have a few dollars to my name....BUT I am rich in what matters most in life.  I love these kids so very much and I am proud to be their mother.  I fail miserably in my role, but thankfully we can start fresh and new every morning with God's grace.  I have the best husband and children in the world...who could ask for more?

 

I have also been blessed with a wonderful mother as well, who has taught me so much, given me life during a time when so many children were unwanted, and loved me more than she loved herself.  She is so precious to me and I am so thankful for her.  She is an inspiration to me and I love her very much!

Have a wonderful Mother's Day!

I'm back.....I hope!

Well....I don't know where to begin.  I have been gone from bloggy-land for quite some time, and now as I write this post, well...I am almost at a loss of words.  Almost.

It has been a busy --but not too busy-- couple of months.  The month of March was filled to the brim with family visiting us from Indiana....So you see, it was a good kind of busy.  It was Liberty's first visit with both of her papaws {and she was rather shy, let me tell you}.  We enjoyed a great time of singing, eating, and just enjoying each others company.  We also celebrated several birthdays in March....we have quite a few including my husband, 2 brother-in-laws, a sister, and a niece.....did I get them all?  Anyway, as always, goodbyes are very hard to say.  It was sad to see them all go, but I am so thankful for the time spent with each one of them.

April brought sadness to our family with the passing of James' grandpa on his father's side.  He had suffered a stroke over 20 years ago and was paralyzed but had lived these past 20+ years for his family.  He was very fond of our children and loved to just sit and watch them play when we would visit.  He couldn't say much, but his love shown bright in his eyes.  We will miss him dearly.  Our oldest daughter Rachel, wrote a great poem in his memory entitled An Ode of Tears that you can read on her blog.

April also brought another tragic event to our great South Land, tornadoes ripped through the southern states killing close to 300 and destroying the homes of so many.  The Lee family lost not only their home but their husband/father as well.  It is a heart wrenching story of God's sovereignty and love.  The Crawford family lost their home as well, and it is yet another story of God's faithfulness and love.  They are going to need our prayers for the many weeks and months ahead.  We had a tornado come very close to our home....about 4-5 miles close.  2 people were killed as a result of that tornado.  My husband and I went out the day after to view the damage, and it left me standing in awe at the mighty hand of our God!  If you want to read my oldest daughters response to the tornado, you can go to her blog Covenant Maiden.

Now that May is here, {with 4 more birthdays, and Mother's Day, and Memorial Day} maybe I can get back to writing for my blog and keeping up with day to day tasks.  Maybe.  :)

My favorite boy in all the world!

9 years ago today....at this time, I was in labor with our 6th child.  Our previous 5 pregnancies had all been girls, so the odds were for us having a 6th.  BUT, I still had that hope in the back of my head that THIS one could be HIM.  I had a few mild contractions throughout the day, but nothing to speak of, and around 7:00 that evening the contractions started in a little stronger.  He was born at home at 9:50 that night.  Yes, I said HE!  My mother was able to attend this birth and she was the first one to yell out, "it's a BOY!"  We were all in tears!  Even my midwife....who had "caught" 4 of my previous babies, was boohooing along with us.  It was such a memorable occasion.   Since then, we have had 2 more girls....{no more boys} I have told him, since he is our only boy, that he is my favorite boy in all the world, and he would tell me that I was his favorite mom in all the world.  He is my little sweetheart and I can't thank God enough for blessing him into our lives!  Happy Birthday Reb!

Just enjoyin' life!

If you don't see me here for a while, it's not because I've given up blogging... Nope, notta, No siree! I'm just enjoying a nice, much needed visit with my mom and dad. We were blessed to have my husbands folks last week, my folks this week, and my sister and her family in a week or so! It's been a great month so far! Hope y'all are having a blessed month as well. See y'all soon...Good Lord willin' and the crik don't rise!

Another Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful man in all the world!  He is everything to me, and I am so thankful to be the wife of such a great man.  God has been so good to us, we are indeed BLESSED!

Not much to tell....

My husband was at the Georgia Capitol this week to capture on video a protest that took place among pro-union workers.  They are nothing but communists in democrat's clothing.  They were passing out communist garbage and spewing forth socialistic speech in its purest form.  My husband keeps me up to date with all that is going on in the world, but simply put, I am amazed at the amount of socialism that is running rampant in our country.  What used to be condemned and railed against is now becoming the norm.  It's rather scary.  Be sure to check out Part 1 of the communist rally in Atlanta, GA.   

There hasn't been much of anything else happening around here, except enjoying this wonderful spring weather!  The kids have been enjoying every minute they can outside, including Liberty.  I think it is her favorite thing to do now....{she especially loves the dirt} When she asks in that sweet little voice, I can't tell her "no".  It is so sweet.  Could you say 'no' to this cute little face?  I didn't think so!  Those chubby little legs in big brother's boots just add to the sweetness, don't you think? 

We LOVE our Liberty

We have had WONDERFUL weather this week!  And of course, since it's been absolutely beautiful, we have spent a lot of our time outside enjoying as much of it as we can.  With 8 kids, there is bound to be something that will bring a smile.  Take for instance today.  We were outside and one of the first places Liberty takes off to, is the dirt.  She has some kind of crazy attraction to it.  She LOVES it.  Anyway... today though, she decided she was going to EAT the dirt.  Not just any ole' dirt, mind you.....Red Georgia dirt.  She was the funniest sight.  Needless to say, she had it in her mouth, up her nose, and all over those chubby cheeks of hers!  I didn't get a picture of the big "event" but I did get one after she was "sorta" cleaned up.  There is never a dull moment!